Apparatus for treatment of gases



EBZQESR May M, 96? c. F. TEPE ET AL APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF GASESFiled July 5. 1963 INVENTOR5 C/JA/2L55 A TEPE AA/D BY LEW/5 0. Jam-s3,320,151 Patented May 16, 1967 ice 3,320,151 APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OFGASES Charles F. Tepe, and Lewis 0. Jones, Fairport, N.Y., assignors toChemetron (Iorporatiou, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware FiledJuly 3, 1963, Ser. No. 292,665 7 Claims. (Cl. 204-313) This inventionrelates to apparatus and methods for treatment of gases and, moreparticularly, to an improved method and apparatus for treating gases ofthe atmosphere to provide an increased yield of ions in air.

The use of negative ionsin'medical treatment and the evaluation of thisuse has been hampered in some degree by the lack of a negative iongenerator capable of producing an adequate concentration of negativeions. Known apparatus using conventional ion generating techniques, suchas radio active bombardment and/or electrical stressing of an ionizablemedium, for example air from the earths atmosphere, are not capable ofproducing large ion concentrations with units of a small or convenientlyportable size that can be used in the home. In part, the relative lowion production in these units is due to ionizing chambers or cellconstructions in which the electrodes impede the flow of the ionizablemedium or in which the ionizing and conveying chambers are such as topermit substantial recombinations of the ions.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide new andimproved apparatus for treating gases found in the atmosphere.

Another object is to provide an ion generator including a new andimproved ionizing cell structure.

A further object is to provide an ion producing cell including a new andimproved electrode configuration.

Another object is to provide an improved method and apparatus forproducing ozone with no significant generation of ions.

Another object is to provide an ionizing cell comprising a tubulardielectric chamber containinga centrally disposed electrode structureand a pair of point electrodes carried on the dielectric chamber atpositions opposite each other.

A further object is to provide an improved method for treating air togenerate large quantities of ions of a desired polarity.

In accordance with these and many other objects, an embodiment of theinvention comprises a tubular dielectric element forming a chamber andhaving one end connected to the output of a pump that forces a flow ofair or other ionizable medium through the dielectric tube at a desiredrate. Substantially midway along the length of the dielectric tube, asomewhat L-shaped point electrode is mounted with the horizontal leg ofthe electrode extending along the axis of the tube and with the otherleg intersecting and carried on the wall of the tube or chamber. A pairof small wire or point electrodes are mounted in the walls of the tubeor chamber slightly downwstream from the free or pointed end of thehorizontal leg of the center electrode in positions opposite each other.These electrodes are connected to ground, and the center electrode isconnected to an adjustable source of direct current potential. Anelectrical stress treatment is applied to the air or other ionizablemedium forced through the dielectric tube by the electrical fieldapplied between the center electrode and the two grounded or sideelectrodes, causing the air to become ionized. Because resistance toflow and turbulence within the ionizing cell is reduced to a minimum andbecause a desirable potential gradient can be maintained for stressingthe ionizable medium, the stream discharged from the open end of thedielectric tube contains a relatively large concentration of positive ornegative ions or,

if desired, quantities of ozone in dependence on the magnitude andpolarity of the potential applied to the center electrode.

Reference has been made above, and will be made hereinafter to ions.Within the teaching of this invention this term contemplates ions whichmay be gaseous components of the atmosphere, for example oxygen,nitrogen, and water vapor. The appended claims should be understood withthis in mind. Also there should be recognition of the fact that emphasishereinafter on a negatively ionized atmosphere is not intended toexclude possible practice of the invention to achieve a positivelyionized atmosphere, or even the possibility that some ions of one signmay be present in an atmosphere which is predominantly of the otherpolarity.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from considering the following detailed description inconjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View in partial section of a gas treatment unitembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the electrode arrangement used in the formof ion generating unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevation view, partially broken away, of amodification of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially broken away, of amodification of the invention adapted for generating ozone.

Referring now more specifically to the drawing, in FIG. 1 there isillustrated gas treatment apparatus in the form of a negative iongenerator which is indicated generally as 10 and which embodies thepresent invention. The ion generator includes a passageway forming anion generating cell or chamber indicated generally as 12, through whicha flow of air or other ionizable medium is forced by a centrifugal pumpor blower 14. The electrode arrangement within the ionizing cell 12 issuch that the medium from the pump or blower 14 passes through thechamber 12 without substantial turbulence and throttling and is ionizedto an appreciable degree to provide an enriched source of ions of eitherpolarity or of ozone.

The centrifugal blower or pump 14 comprises means for producing a flowof gas and includes an inlet opening 16 preferably provided with afilter through which air is supplied to a pump or blower cavity in whichis disposed an impeller structure driven by an electric motor 18. Theimpeller produces a continuous current flow of air outwardly through theionizing cell 12. The cell is connected to the blower or pump 14 by aflanged portion which is secured to a corresponding flange 14a on thehousing of the blower 14 by a plurality of separable fasteners 20.

The ionizing cell 12 includes means forming a confined passagewaycomprising a cylindrical tubular dielectric body 22, secured at one endto the outlet of the blower 14 and having a discharge opening at itsother end through which the ionized medium flows, which may be providedwith a conical diffuser end portion 36. The electrode structure for thecell 12 includes a center electrode 24 of a somewhat L-shapedconfiguration including a vertically extending leg 24a that is securedto and carried on the dielectric member 22 and a horizontally extendingleg 2411 which terminates at its free end in a point and which extendsgenerally along the axis of the t be 22. A pair of other or sideelectrodes 26 and 28 are carried on the walls of the dielectric member22 at opposite ends of a diameter so as to be located directly oppositeeach other. The inner ends of the electrodes 26 and 28, which preferablyare formed of small diameter wire to provide point electrodes, arespaced radially with respect to the axis of the tube 22 and may beslightly recessed in the walls of the tube 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3or may be fiush with the walls of the tube 22, or may intrude slightlyinto the interior of the tube 22. Thus the inner ends of the electrodes26 and 28 do not impede the flow of the ionizable medium through tube 22or create appreciable turbulence. The electrodes 26 and 28 arepreferably positioned slightly downstream from the free end or thehorizontal leg 24b of the center electrode 24 and slightly recessed inthe walls of the tube 22.

To provide means for electrically stressing the ionizable medium byapplying a high voltage gradient to the material passing through theionizing cell 12, the center electrode 24 is connected to an adjustabletap on a potentiometer 30 that is connected across a direct currentpotential supply shown as comprising a battery 32. Obviously, the directcurrent supply can comprise an electronic or magnetic circuit of asuitable type, such as a high frequency oscillator including an outputrectification stage for converting the generated oscillations to adirect current potential. In the system illustrated in FIG. 1, which isdesigned to provide negative ions, the positive terminal of the battery32 or direct current potential source is connected to ground eitherdirectly or indirectly through a power line so that the potentialapplied to the electrode 24 is negative with respect to ground. Theother point electrodes 26 and 28 are connected to ground.

The rate of ion production in generator 10 may advantageously beindicated by a neon lamp 33 connected between electrodes 26 and 28 andground, with a capacitor 34 connected across the base of lamp 33 asshown in FIG. 1. The rate of flash of the lamp 33 will indicate the rateof ion production. As an alternative the capacitor 34 may be omitted andthe relative brilliance of the lamp will indicate the rate of ionproduction.

In one generator 10 constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, the centrifugal pump or blower 14 is operated to provide aflow of air through the ionizing cell 12 of approximately 10 c.f.m., andthe potentiometer 30 is adjusted to apply a potential in the range offrom 6000 to 8000 volts to the center electrode 24, the side electrodes26 and 28 being connected either directly or through the power line toan earth ground. Under these operating conditions, the electrodeconfiguration applies a uniform electrical stress or potential gradientto the molecules of the air, and the flow of air through the ionizingcell 12 is substantially without hindrance or turbulence. It has beendetermined that ion generators 10 constructed in the manner set forthabove may weigh as little as ten pounds and produce negative ionconcentrations on the order of 1.8 l negative ions per cubic centimeterwith an air flow of six c.f.m.

If the structure of FIG. 1 is housed in a non-metallic case, forexample, a plastic case, it has been discovered that the ion output canbe materially increased by placing a ring of conducting material 35connected to ground about the passageway formed by tube 22 so as toencircle or enclose the discharge portion of tube 22 as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the modification of the invention showntherein employs a center electrode 44, of a somewhat F-shapedconfiguration including a vertically extending leg 44a that is securedto and carried on a dielectric member 42 forming a passageway, and apair of horizontally extending legs 44b and 440 which terminate at theirfree ends in points and which extend generally in parallel-fashion alongthe axis of the tube 42. The legs 44c and 44b are spaced approximately athird of a daimeter from the walls of the tube 42 and from each other asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A pair of other or side electrodes 46 and 48connected to ground are carried on the walls of the dielectric member 42at opposite ends of a diameter from the walls to the tube 42 and fromeach and are preferably positioned slightly downstream from the freeends of the horizontal legs 44b and 440 and slightly recessed in thewalls of tube 42. The relationship between electrode 44 and theelectrodes 46 and 48 is such that a straight line drawn through thepoints 440 and 44b of electrode 44 would be approximately at rightangles to or perpendicular to a straight line drawn through theelectrodes 46 and 48. It will be understood that FIGS. 4 and 5 arefragmentary and that details of the required blower structure and thehigh potential circuit connected between the center electrode 44 andground, which advantageously may be similar to those of FIG. 1, havebeen omitted for brevity. Ion output employing the dual pointedelectrode structure of FIGS. 4 and 5 increased slightly over the versionshown in FIG. 1. Similar results were obtained by adding a third pointedelectrode located approximately midway between the pointed portions 44band 440.

To produce ozone with the unit shown in FIG. 1 the voltage must beadjusted by potentiometer 30' and the grounded electrodes 26 and 28 mustbe inserted through the wall of the dielectric member 22 close enough tothe center electrode 24 to establish a corona discharge but not so closethat an arc is established. The exact spacing is dependent on theapplied voltage and the air velocity. It should also be pointed out thatozone can be produced in the cell of FIG. 1 using a high voltage A.C.source in place of the D.C. source 32 of FIG. 1.

A modification of the invention adapted for treating air from theatmosphere to generate ozone with substantially no output of ions isillustrated in FIG. 6. It will be understood that FIG. 6 is fragmentaryand that all details of the blower and the high potential circuit, bothof which may be similar to those of FIG. 1, have been omitted forbrevity. The structure shown in FIG. 6 includes means forming apassageway comprising a tube 52, a center electrode 54, a pair of sideelectrodes 56 and 58 connected to an earth ground and projecting intothe passageway formed by tube 52, and an electrode member 60, shown inthe form of a pair of mutually perpendicular cross bars joined on theaxis of the tube 52 and extending through the walls of the tube 52transverse to the direction of air flow, and downstream from thegrounded electrodes 56 and 58. The electrode 60 is connected to centerelectrode 54 as shown in FIG. 6. The electrode 60 thus has a polaritywhich repels the negative ions and thereby decreases their velocity tothe point that they are substantially all captured by the groundelectrodes 56 and 58. Although the transverse electrode 60 is shown inthe shape of a cross, its precise configuration is not critical andother electrode shapes connected in the same manner may yield similarresults.

It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that the foregiongdescription of an embodiment of equipment illustrates an improved methodfor treating an oxygencontaining gaseous medium such as air from theatmosphere to generate large quantities of negative or positive ions,or, if desired, quantities of ozone in dependence on the magnitude andpolarity of the potential applied to the electrodes. This method may bebriefly summarized as follows: An oxygen-containing gaseous medium suchas air from the atmosphere is treated, employing suitable means such asthe typical structure illustrated and described herein, to flow thegaseous medium in a continuous stream within a dielectric medium past afirst electrode located intermediate the stream and at least one otherelectrode of small area disposed on one side of the stream in spacedrelation to the first electrode, and applying a high potential gradientto the oxygen-containing gaseous medium with the electrodes. The methodcan be practiced to treat an oxygen-containing gaseous medium such asair to generate ions of a desired polarity by operating the firstelectrode with it connected so that it has the same polarity as the ionsto be generated and with the small area electrode disposed on one sideof the stream connected to ground.

This method can be varied somewhat to obtain an increased output of ionsby further passing the stream through an electrically conducting ringdownstream of the small area electrode which is connected to ground.

The method of the present invention can also be practiced to generateozone with substantially no ions by inducing a stream of air to flowcontinuously through a confined passage, applying a high voltagegradient to the stream of air by a first polarity point electrodelocated intermediate the passage and a pair of point electrodes ofopposite polarity disposed downstream of the first electrode, andpassing the stream about a third electrode disposed downstream of thepair of point electrodes, the third electrode being connected to thefirst electrode so that ions in the stream are repelled by the thirdelectrode and slowed to a velocity enabling them to be captured by thepair of point electrodes.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that othermodifications may be made therein and are intended to be included withinthe scope of the appended claims wherein there is claimed:

We claim:

1. Gas treatment apparatus comprising means forming an electricallyisolated passageway, means for producing a flow of gas through thepassageway, first point electrode means directed generally downstreamand in spaced relation to said means forming a passageway, secondelectrode means comprising at least one electrode of small area lying inthe flow of gas and disposed generally in a region of short axial lengthdownstream from said first electrode means, said second electrode meanshaving an area which is only a relatively small portion of the area ofsaid means forming the passageway in said region, and means for applyingan electrical potential between the first electrode means and the secondelectrode means to establish a field to treat gas flowing through thepassageway.

2. Gas treatment apparatus as claimed in 1, said electrode meansincluding a plurality of elements each having a pointed terminalportion, said pointed terminal portions extending parallel to oneanother.

3. Gas treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said second electrodemeans comprising a plurality of small area electrodes.

4. Gas treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said second electrodemeans comprising a plurality of wirelike small area electrodes supportedby said passageway forming means and lying in a plane substantiallynormal to the flow of gas.

5. Gas treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising additionalelectrode means downstream from said second electrode means andconnected to one of said first and second electrode means.

6. Gas treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said additionalelectrode means comprising an electrode traversing said passageway andconnected to said first electrode means.

7. Gas treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said additionalelectrode comprising a continuous electrode encircling the passagewayand connected to said second electrode means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 25,858 9/1965Matvay 204-323 2,468,177 4/ 1943 Cotton 204-164 2,583,898 1/1952 Smith204--3 12 2,763,125 9/1956 Kadosch 60-3554 3,116,433 12/ 1963Moncrief-Yeates 313-63 3,136,908 6/1964 Weinman 31363 R. H. MIHALEK,Assistant Examiner.

JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent Noa3,320,151

Charles FD Tepe et al,

May 16, 1967 above numbered patthat error appears in the 1d read as Itis hereby certified ent requiring correction and that the said LettersPatent shou corrected below.

Column 1, line 58, for "downwstream" read N downstream column 3, line73, for "daimeter" read diameter column 4, line 2, strike out "from thewalls fo the tube 42 and from each" and insert instead so as to belocated directly opposite each other, line 56, for "foregiong" readforegoing Signed and sealed this 28th day of November 1967,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

1. GAS TREATMENT APPARATUS COMPRISING MEANS FORMING AN ELECTRICALLYISOLATED PASSAGEWAY, MEANS FOR PRODUCING A FLOW OF GAS THROUGH THEPASSAGEWAY, FIRST POINT ELECTRODE MEANS DIRECTED GENERALLY DOWNSTREAMAND IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID MEANS FORMING A PASSAGEWAY, SECONDELECTRODE MEANS COMPRISING AT LEAST JONE ELECTRODE OF SMALL AREA LYINGIN THE FLOW OF GAS AND DISPOSED GENERALLY IN A REGION OF SHORT AXIALLENGTH DOWNSTREAM FROM SAID FIRST ELECTRODE MEANS, SAID SECOND ELECTRODEMEANS HAVING AN AREA WHICH IS ONLY A RELATIVELY SMALL PORTION OF THEAREA OF SAID MEANS FORMING THE PASSAGEWAY IN SAID REGION, AND MEANS FORAPPLYING AN ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL BETWEEN THE FIRST ELECTRODE MEANS ANDTHE SECOND ELECTRODE MEANS TO ESTABLISH A FIELD TO TREAT GAS FLOWINGTHROUGH THE PASSAGEWAY.